'Terror charge against Thaksin dropped'

Public prosecutors have decided not to file a charge of terrorism against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in connection with the unrest and riots of 2010, Democrat Party deputy leader Thaworn Senneam said yesterday.

Thaworn said he had been told this by people in the Attorney General's Office, after a decision was made last month. A request had been made for the agency to review a move by prosecutors in 2011 to charge Thaksin with acts of terrorism, for allegedly being behind the red-shirt uprising, which left nearly 100 people killed.

"I think the families of people killed, as well as people who suffered damage [during the 2010 turmoil] may bring their cases to court by themselves, without having to rely on public prosecutors," Thaworn said.

New Attorney General Athapol Yaisawang said he had no knowledge about this matter, as yesterday was just his first day in office. He expected to be informed by relevant officials if Thaworn's claim was true.